Finesse Rod Advice

[Mikey99gofish]

Looking for some input!  I have $250 in BassPro gift cards that have been building up and am looking for a finesse rod.  I've been throwing big swimbaits for the last 13 years or so and I've shifted to more conventional over the past couple years since getting into kayak tournaments and exploring new waters in my NuCanoe. This is my second year getting into finesse.  Last year I bought a Tatula ML and Vanford 2500 for drop shotting.  I also bought a Lew's Carbon Fire 6'9" for $40 on sale at Dick's and put a Stradic 2500 on it for slinging weightless senkos.  It's actually a pretty amazing rod for what it is.  Looking to add the next finesse rod for throwing a ned rig and other finesse applications.  It's super tough to just blindly pick a rod.  I'd be willing to spend up to $300+ if it's worth it.  I've been looking at the Douglas XMatrix 6'10 ML but would love to hear some feedback from some finesse fishermen with more experience.  Any help is greatly welcomed 

[TriStateBassin106]

Hmm. well to start it off I have 2 finesse setups that I use for different things. My first one is a 7'0 ML from 13 fishing paired with a Ardent size 2500 reel. I use this for stuff like drop shotting, neds and wacky rigs. I use 15lb powerpro with a 8lb Flourocarbon leader. My second combo is a 7'1 M daiwa rod paired with a Pflueger reel in the 3000 size, this also has 15lb powerpro with an 8lb Flourocarbon leader. This is what I throw flukes/senkos/shakeyheads and lighter jigs on. 

 

IMO you can probably use that tatula ML you mentioned for ned rigs aswell. But if you're looking for a completely new combo you can probably pick out a good rod for that price range you're willing to spend, lews, daiwa and shimano all have great rods in that 100 to 200 dollar range. If you get the douglas rod any ideas of what reel you want to put on it? 

 

 

[Mikey99gofish]

Thanks for the input.  I'd want to keep the Tatula rigged for drop shotting and have the new setup for other techniques to try out--ned, smaller jigs, etc.  I'd probably put a Vanford 2500 on it, as that reel has been my favorite so far.  I have hi-vis 15lb Power Pro on the drop shot rig and that has been working well.  Definitely a lot of rods out there to choose from!! 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The 7'1 ML Tatula will do just about anything you can ask of a lightweight finesse rod.  Depending on what you throw and where you fish would determine what rod to add.  Either you find a stout XF ML or a M that can load with 1/8 or slightly less.  Its harder to find a stout xf ML then a M and in most cases the M is probably the more versatile rod.  If you want a killer ML check out the Orochi whipsnake.  I was surprised at how stout that rod is, it has the backbone of a M but the tip and overall feel of a highly responsive ML.  You pay for it, but you can tell why they were so hard to get at the lower price point.   

[waymont]

Try the Xpride 7’ light. It’s an amazing  for lots of stuff. 

[Wprich]

If buying from Basspro I'd get a St. Croix Victory 7'3" MXF or step up to the legend tournament bass same length and action.

[JMac603]

+1 for the Victory but my 7' ML St Croix Avid is heavier than the Victory and I find the grip VERY comfortable. I feel like it's not as fast as the Victory and I do better with ned rigs on it. I fish neds quite a bit and will use the zman grubz on them so I swim it as well and the Avid does me well with that. 

[WVU-SCPA]

Purchased a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'6" Ml Feider after reading about it a few times on the forum.  Picking up any of my other spinning rods to fish a ned isn't the same since.  Not sure bass pro carries it though.

[BayouSlide]

I have the Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature and CarbonLite 2.0, both in ML for finesse. Nice rods both, with the edge to the more expensive Platinum Signature, no great surprise.

[LonnieP]

I just bought a Cashion Icon ML and I am very surprised at how light and sensitive this rod is for the price. Much nicer than my St Croix Avid

[Mikey99gofish]

Thanks for all the input.  I ended up using the BassPro card for a Vanford 2500 and I splurged for a Megabass Orochi XX 6'11 ML Whipsnake.  It's getting delivered in a couple day so we shall see!! 

[uglyasheck]

1 hour ago, Mikey99gofish said:

Thanks for all the input.  I ended up using the BassPro card for a Vanford 2500 and I splurged for a Megabass Orochi XX 6'11 ML Whipsnake.  It's getting delivered in a couple day so we shall see!! 

Let us know how you lke that rod cause I'm thinking that rod is my next purchase. Please

 

[Mikey99gofish]

23 hours ago, uglyasheck said:

Let us know how you lke that rod cause I'm thinking that rod is my next purchase. Please

 

For sure.  I'm a finesse newby so we'll see how it goes.  Going to put 15lb hi-viz Power Pro on it with an 8lb fluoro leader

[Darth-Baiter]

$300?  you're dangerously close to Megabass territory no?  I'd skip a few discretionary lunches and buy a Whipsnake.  

 

(I'm staring at my coin jar right now!! -  grow coin jar, grow!)

 

edit.  oh..gift card.   never mind.

[Boomstick]

I have two rods for finesse presentations.

#1) Daiwa Tatula Elite Brent Ehrler dropshot rod, 7' M/F with a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000D reel. 12# Sunline SX1 and a 6-8# leader. Will throw about anything that you may want to throw on a spinning rods. Great setup.

 

#2) St Croix Avid X 6'9" ML/XF with a Daiwa BG 2000. #12 Sunline SX1 and a 6-8# leader. This runs on the stouter side for a ML, not too far from a finesse medium. Typically use this when I bring two spinning rods out and for lighter baits like Ned rigs.

[Mikey99gofish]

On 9/1/2022 at 10:17 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

$300?  you're dangerously close to Megabass territory no?  I'd skip a few discretionary lunches and buy a Whipsnake.  

 

(I'm staring at my coin jar right now!! -  grow coin jar, grow!)

 

edit.  oh..gift card.   never mind.

I actually ended up using the gift card for a Vanford 2500 and then grabbed a Whipsnake from TW!!  Should be showing up today...